Ask the Author: Roger A. Canaff
Answered Questions (11)
Roger A. Canaff
I'd go to Steinbeck's Cannery Row. Not sure what I'd do- likely try to fit in and smoke too much.
Roger A. Canaff
Summer is almost over, but I've loved:
Pretty Evil by Zoe Rosi (I don't believe it's out yet- I read an ARC and loved it)
The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni
The Bone Cay by Eliza Nellum
Betrayal of Faith by Mark Bello (still reading)
Negative Space by B.R. Yeager
On the Island by Tracy Garvis Graves
Her Last Breath by Hilary Davidson
Sweet Water by Cara Reinar
Furious by Jeffrey James Higgins
Pretty Evil by Zoe Rosi (I don't believe it's out yet- I read an ARC and loved it)
The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni
The Bone Cay by Eliza Nellum
Betrayal of Faith by Mark Bello (still reading)
Negative Space by B.R. Yeager
On the Island by Tracy Garvis Graves
Her Last Breath by Hilary Davidson
Sweet Water by Cara Reinar
Furious by Jeffrey James Higgins
Roger A. Canaff
I'm not sure what mystery from my personal life could plot a book (although there might be one or two) but in my former professional life (as a special victims prosecutor in two jurisdictions and 3 offices) I was involved in a number of cases that would fuel a book. It was an honor to do the work- I am most indebted to the survivors I worked with, but also to investigators, advocates, judges, defense attorneys and medical experts. Being inside that system was sometimes frustrating, sometimes frightening, sometimes glorious, but it was always interesting.
Roger A. Canaff
Hi, Sheri- yes, Roger A. Canaff and Roger Canaff are both me! Thank you very much for choosing the book and for the kind words; I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Roger A. Canaff
Hi, MaryAlice- thanks so much for the question. With City Dark in particular, part of what I wanted to do was to turn NYC itself into two characters. I know that sounds odd, but I wanted the story to function as a character itself in the book-- and in fact as two characters. The first is the New York City of 1977, bankrupt, struggling, and then thrust into chaos by the blackout. The second is the NYC of 2017, post 9/11. So in a sense, I built City Dark around New York City in two "personas." I wanted to take the reader through the times surrounding the characters as well as the characters' lives themselves. Beyond that, I did have the story in mind- I worked as an Assistant Attorney General myself in the same unit that Joe works in, so there was some wonderful material to choose from in terms of a mystery.
Roger A. Canaff
I find I often just have to get going. I force myself to work, usually re-reading and editing a scene I've written previously. That sometimes gets me started.
Roger A. Canaff
Oftentimes it's music- classical music, or theme music from movies and shows I've loved. Mad Men (score mostly by David Carbonara) is a good example.
Roger A. Canaff
Creating is a powerful feeling.
Roger A. Canaff
Currently working on a stand-alone psychological/legal thriller with some horror aspects. It's scaring me a little, but that's a good thing.
Roger A. Canaff
Generally, write what you know (old advice, yes, but good advice). But that said, don't assume you know less than you do.
Roger A. Canaff
Among the Dead was based on the last case I was assigned as a senior child abuse and sex crimes prosecutor in Bronx, NY. It was a horrific child homicide, and the facts stick with me to this day.
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